Physics GCSE
Circular orbits
What Circular orbits means in Physics GCSE, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Circular orbits
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Circular orbits in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
A planet moves around a circle, and the gravitational force from the Sun acts towards the centre of the orbit.
Topics that use Circular orbits
- Beyond Earth (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Absorption and emission of radiation
- Artificial satellites: geostationary and polar orbits
- Constant speed with changing direction
- Cosmic microwave background radiation
- Effect of the atmosphere on electromagnetic radiation
- Equilibrium between collapse and expansion
- Gravitational force towards the centre
- Greenhouse effect and Earth's temperature
Using Circular orbits in the exam
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